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Re: Memorial Day

I agree. I do not celebrate or otherwise recognize Memorial Day or Veterans Day....though I am a veteran of 2 different tours in Iraq. I don't do this for a few reasons:

First, I find it insulting that one day out of 365 is supposed to be the one day that you pause and give thanks to those that died in military service to this country. You should be grateful and reflective of their loss of life everyday. Without them, you wouldn't have the freedoms you do.

Secondly, we shouldn't be involved in this global policing efforts (Vietnam and so on) and these individuals didn't die for our freedom....they died in the course of illegal actions taken by our Congress and President against foreign governments that had NOTHING to do with our freedoms or security. It seems like our politicians use occasions like Memorial Day to justify and push their agendas and Empire building foreign polices on the rest.

I take great exception to that.

I will no longer be replying to any post from a Liberal going forward. I will continue, as normal, to discuss topics and engage in intellectual exchanges with non-leftist

Re: Memorial Day

Originally Posted by Someguy

First, I find it insulting that one day out of 365 is supposed to be the one day that you pause and give thanks to those that died in military service to this country. You should be grateful and reflective of their loss of life everyday.

I would say most Americans are grateful everyday, just like most Christians are grateful for Christ throughout the year and not just on Christmas. Just like most people are grateful for Martin Luther King's service and life throughout the year. Nevertheless society and our government has chosen one day out of the year to pause, celebrate and be reflective as a country (united in spirit) for a purpose. [United we stand divided we fall.] And, yes, we are free to ignore this united celebration and reflection.

Re: Memorial Day

I do agree with Someguy to a degree that events like this tend to often have more style than substance and can be a crutch or excuse for those who want to pay more lip service than real service to veterans.

I'm sure I would fail to honor the dead because the war they fought was less than principled. Soldiers don't get to pick their wars so much, they sign up to take on whatever we throw them into. Its their intent more than the actual deeds that I feel like I honor.

Given the choice between every day treating people with respect and once a year putting on a show, I'll take the former. Then again sometimes you just want to make a grand gesture and its not something you have time for all year round so we make special days to do that sort of thing and share the experience. I think if nothing else that's just kind of practical.

As my family is all to aware, I don't do special occasions so well, but hopefully they know any time they truly need me I'll do my best. My wife an I like white boards in the house and we have a long tradition where on one of them it says...
Every Day = I Love Anne Day
and
Every Day = I Love Sig Day

And we wish each other I love X Day pretty often through out the year.

Re: Memorial Day

In addition to remembering the dead we should also remember those veterans who are still alive but still have physical and mental scars as a result of their service. We can't actually do anything for the dead but it is possible to help the survivors. You can support organizations such as Disabled American Veterans that are helping these people and if you know any veterans personally you should look for opportunities to express your gratitude to them.

The brutal, soul-shaking truth is that we are so earthly minded we are of no heavenly use.
Leonard RavenhillBlog